Derby 0 Sunderland 0

Sunderland`s first away win was so close yet so far thanks to a poor decision from the lines man. Michael Chopra scored a perfectly good goal only for the lines man to flag it offside.

Sunderland started brightly with Darryl Murphy hitting the post early in the game after Nosworthy played a wonderful long ball into his path.

Derby then had an effort from Kenny Miller his turn and shot went way over the bar.

Then we scored a perfectly good goal Reid found Chopra with a delightful through ball that Chopra despatch past Carroll only for the Linesman to disallow it for offside.

Alan Stubbs almost gifted the lead to Sunderland when the ball ricochets off him from a Higginbotham cross to go out for a corner.

Derby`s Miller then had half a chance that he blasted over the bar.

Sunderland`s last chance of the game came when Carroll parried Richardson`s shot only for it to fall to Higginbotham whose shot was blocked by Ghaly.


Sunderland Line Up 4-4-2

Gordon 7
Bardsley 8
Nosworthy 8
Evans 8
Higginbotham 9
Chopra 7
Richardson 7
Whitehead 6
Reid 6 (Leadbitter 6)
Murphy 6 (Stokes 6)
Jones 7


Subs not used

Fulop
McShane
Prica

Vital Sunderland Says
Chopra`s goal should have stood.

Yet again a decision by the officials has gone against us.